Page 62 of Furry Equations
A ping from her computer made them both sigh. Right. They had work to do - plans to make, security to arrange, an arsenal to build. Tomlinson was coming, and they needed to be ready.
But as Natalie turned back to her monitors, already rattling off molecular formulas and production schedules, Marcus felt something settle in his chest. They would face whatever came together - his strength and her brilliance, alpha and scientist, mate and mate.
And God help anyone who tried to harm her because Marcus Vale protected what was his.
Even if it meant occasionally growling at loud laboratory equipment.
THIRTY-EIGHT
Marcus spent the next hour coordinating with his security teams while Natalie and Emily refined the production protocols. His enhanced senses had fully returned, allowing him to track every movement in the lab while maintaining video calls with his pack leaders. The constant awareness of his mate’s location helped calm his wolf’s protective instincts.
“The Stockholm facility is fully staffed,” his European alpha reported. “Ready to begin counteragent production as soon as the formula arrives.”
“Good. Coordinate with Emily for setup requirements.” Marcus watched Natalie bend over her microscope, her hair escaping its messy bun. “And Johan? Triple the security. If Tomlinson has international reach...”
“Already done. No one gets within a mile of that lab without us knowing.”
Similar conversations with other pack leaders followed. Marcus had spent years building a global network of allies - now it would serve to protect his mate’s creation. The thought of Tomlinson’s forces targeting any of these facilities made his wolf snarl.
“Your jaw is doing the thing again,” Natalie called without looking up from her work.
“What thing?”
“That clenching thing when you’re plotting violence.” Now she did glance over, eyes sparkling with amusement. “Very alpha-male-protective, but maybe save the rage for after we perfect the mass production formula.”
“I don’t clench my jaw.”
“You absolutely do.” She abandoned her microscope to approach the desk, perching on the edge. “Along with the growling and the hovering and the constant scent-marking...”
“I do not scent-mark-“ He broke off as she raised an eyebrow. “Often.”
“Mm-hmm. And I suppose the way you keep touching me whenever anyone else enters the lab is purely coincidental?”
“That’s different. That’s...” He searched for a scientific explanation she’d appreciate. “Establishing clear mate-pair bonding indicators for potential rivals.”
“Wow.” She bit back a laugh. “Did you actually read those shifter biology papers I left on your desk?”
“Maybe.” He pulled her into his lap, nuzzling her neck. “Know your enemy and all that.”
“I’m your enemy now?”
“You’re my mate who keeps distracting me from security planning with scientific discussions and poorly hidden smirks.”
“Poorly hidden?” She shifted to straddle him, making his wolf rumble in approval. “I’ll have you know my smirking technique is highly refined. Years of practice.”
“Is that what you were doing in grad school? Smirk refinement?”
“Among other things.” Her fingers traced patterns on his chest. “Advanced sarcasm. Doctoral-level eye-rolling. Very intensive curriculum.”
Marcus caught her wandering hands. “You’re doing it again.”
“Doing what?”
“Distracting me.”
“Am I?” She blinked innocently. “I thought I was conducting important research on alpha male responses to various stimuli. Very scientific.”
“Natalie.”